GRAINS OF GOLD

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12, 25 March 1909, Page 443

GRAINS OF GOLD

%AY ROSARY. Only a chaplet of ruby beads Strung on a chain of gold, Each bead tells of a Heart that bleeds For hearts that have grown cold : Forgetful hearts, wordly -hearts, In a world of fleeting 'show, Ungrateful hearts, distrustful hearts Surging to and fro. Only a chaplet of ruby beads' Strung on a chain of gold, Each bead tells of a -Heart that pleads For hearts that will not unfold : Faithless hearts, traitorous hearts, Where ignoble deeds Are born, Turbulent hearts, disloyal hearts That every mercy scorn. Only a chaplet of ruby -beads Strung on a chain of gold, Each bead tells of a Heart* that pleads With the hearts without the fold, Sin-stained hearts, wilful hearts On the ramparts of despair, Wavering hearts, deceptive hearts, We find them everywhere. Only a chaplet of ruby beads Strung" on a golden chain, Each bead tells of a Heart's great love And a welcome home again: The : contrite heart- shall find surcease From the agonies of despair. In the limpid depths of eternal love, God's mercy is evexywhere.

No doubt age has many privileges and consolations that are denied to youth; but the difference between the two is that youth is blissfully unconscious of what are its limitations, while age is haunted by the importunate memories of all that it has been compelled to surrender. There is the honor of pure -living and pure thinking. These bring with them a badge which far outshines .any to be had of mundane sources... For there is nothing more to be desired than a good fa«e — not a handsome one, but a good one — wherein may be seen the reflection of high motives and right ideals.